fbpx
Connect with us

Charlton Athletic

Favourites to become new Charlton manager as club sacks Michael Appleton

We take a look at the favourites to become new Charlton manager as club sacks Michael Appleton following defeat to Northampton.

The Addicks waved goodbye to head coach Michael Appleton after going on a 12-game winless run in all competitions.

His side conceded a goal in the 97th minute to lose 3-2 when they played host to Northampton Town on Tuesday night, with the result meaning they are now just four points above the League One drop zone.

He had only been in the role for four and a half months, having come in to replace Dean Holden in September.

Of his 28 games he managed, he ended up winning 8, lost 9 and hadn’t won since beating Cheltenham on the 28th of November 2023.

A brief statement 30 minutes after the final whistle, read: “Charlton Athletic can confirm that Michael Appleton has left the club with immediate effect after being relieved of his role as Head Coach.

“The club would like to thank Michael for his efforts during his time in charge.

“Charlton Athletic can confirm that Curtis Fleming will take interim charge of the men’s first-team following the departure of Michael Appleton.

“Fleming will be assisted by former club captain and current Senior Professional Development Phase Lead Coach Jason Pearce.

“Fleming, Pearce and goalkeeping coach Stephen Henderson will take training at Sparrows Lane on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Blackpool.

“Richard O’Donnell has been relieved of his role as Men’s First-Team Coach. The club would like to thank Richard for his efforts during his time at Charlton.”

Charlton are now searching for their third boss of the season and their sixth different manager in less than three years.

FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW CHARLTON MANAGER:

BetVictor – 28th January – 9pm
Mark Warburton – 2/1
Nathan Jones – 2/1
Gary Rowett – 4/1
Alex Neill – 6/1
Michael Duff – 8/1
Neil Warnock – 8/1
Nigel Pearson – 10/1
John Eustace – 12/1

SEE MORE: Charlton fans mock Michael Appleton’s comments in response to chants aimed at him

Tuesday night’s game saw Northampton go ahead after just 7 minutes with Kieron Bowie’s through ball met and controlled by Tyreece Simpson, went past Rarmani Edmonds-Green and beating keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

Charlton were level on 20 minutes with Aaron McGowan scored an own goal after being on the end of Alfie May’s low cross from the right of the penalty area.

McGowan then redeemed himself two minutes later by assisting Sam Hoskins to put Northampton in front again.

Charlton got another equaliser in first-half stoppage time, Freddie Ladapo’s shot blocked into the path of Tennai Watson, who drilled home his first Charlton goal.

McGowan blocked May’s effort on the goal-line in the second half, and then Charlton wing-back Tayo Edun was bizarrely sent off for what was deemed to be a second bookable offence – both fouls on McGowan although replays show the second yellow to be a harsh decision.

Northampton as the game came to an end, substitute Louis Appere tapping home from a pass delivered to him by Mitch Pinnock.

So who are the favourites to become new Charlton manager as the club sacks Michael Appleton?

In line to replace him could be Nathan Jones, who has been out of work since being he was axed by Southampton back in February 2023.

His connection to Charlton is that he previously worked as Under-21 development coach at the club in 2012.

Another name being listed as a candidate is Michael Duff, who after retiring as a player, Duff coached at Burnley’s academy before becoming manager of Cheltenham in 2018, and in 2021, he led them to their first automatic promotion from League Two as champions.

He was appointed Barnsley head coach in 2022, guided them to the League One playoff final in his first season but them a month later, become the head coach of Swansea City, only to be dismissed in December 2023.

FAN REACTION:

@stefd84: Happily take NJ was highly rated within Charlton long before what he did at Luton with the youth team!

@BenH93_: Now this is someone I can really get behind…. Charlton connection too. 🤷🏼‍♂️

@steveyoung5: You should be over the moon if that appointment comes off great manager and will be a great asset to the whole of your club

@AdBartTheSecond: So he’s gone then thank fuck! Cards on the table I’d rather have Rowett then Jones but I’ve got a feeling neither will fancy a bottom end League One job. Duff looks the most promising of our ‘getable’ managers. Please no Powell, Bowyer, JJ or Curbs #cafc

@moreofaswimmer1: The least Jones deserves is a decent Championship club. No way should he drop to League One

@p_clark60: Nathan Jones would be a great appointment. Can’t believe so many Addicts don’t want him.

@GuyJDavies: Not sure about Jones. Very successful at Luton but couldn’t replicate that formula at Stoke or Southampton, disastrous at both. We can’t afford anyone that could be potentially disastrous. If it was the summer I’d be screaming for him. Feels risky under the circumstances. #cafc

@AlCAFC1905: Going to get a small % of our fan base say no to him but what he did was brilliant at Luton & is a good coach. Saints in prem too big for him & everyone seems to fail at Stoke in recent years. We are after a head coach & not a manager the way club is run now so happy if he comes.

@PhilReddy1: But would he even consider it ? As it appears it’s not the manager signing the players.

@10woz_: Chris Powell is right there

@AlCAFC1905: The owners & board must know now buy cheap buy twice. MA was a cheap appointment & was never good enough to manage us. Need a statement appointment now the supporters can get behind & players know if results are good he’s going to be hear for 2/3 seasons.

@brayash24: 1.25m a year at Southampton cannot see us even offering half that

@_John_Hickey_: The right manager is nearly more important than your playing squad these days… you need the right kind of manager who’s going to improve us as a team and get the best out of his players. If Nathan Jones is that man, then pay him a good salary and a promotion bonus.

@markyw751: Michael Duff for me as seems best candidate out there

@MarkBur09987361: I wouldn’t be surprised if NJ has lost out on jobs at QPR, Millwallies & Plymouth since Southampton, I can’t see money being a problem as he’ll have had two massive payoffs from Stoke & Southampton. If it’s a project with a good board (are they?) he’ll be interested.

@SamBaines17: tbf it would be cheaper than employing someone else for 3 months and then sacking them and having to pay the compensation all over again

@andrewmfc: Surely theres no way a man with the ego of Jones, who has interviewed for several championship jobs in the last few months, will drop into league one, especially at a club with zero prospects of promotion this season?

@groundsmendean: Proper come down for him! No disrespect charlton are a mess.

@ValleyFloydFred: Wow that was quick! Charlie Methven not fucking around.

@DamianJWalters: On a human level, I really did feel for MA. That must have felt awful. From a club perspective, I think they left it too late, but onward and hopefully upward. A challenging few months ahead. #COYA 🔴⚪️

@ColinPep1: Need a good replacement. NOT Nathan Jones. Someone proper. Pearson, bowyer, eustace… someone of that ilk #cafc

@RogDog_CAFC: Worst manager for a long long time and that is going some

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Charlton Athletic